No worries for Michelin as they achieve a 1-2-3

Kimi Räikkönen (West McLaren Mercedes/ Michelin) set the pace on the opening day of this year’s Malaysian Grand Prix. In fierce, 37-degree heat last year’s Sepang winner lapped in 1m 34.395s in the second – and faster – of the day’s two free practice sessions.

He headed a Michelin 1-2-3 this afternoon, when conditions are likely to be similar to those drivers will experience during Sunday afternoon’s 56-lap race. Ralf Schumacher (BMW WilliamsF1 Team/Michelin) and Mark Webber (Jaguar Racing/Michelin) completed the top three.

Pierre Dupasquier, Michelin Motorsport Director:

“The true picture is always slightly clouded on the first day of a grand prix weekend because you never know everybody’s chosen strategy. It is impossible to be sure, for instance, whether a team is conducting long runs with 30kg or 60 kg of fuel on board – both are viable options.

It is clear, however, that the three dry-weather tyre compounds we have chosen for Sepang are suitable for the tricky, ultra-hot conditions we have seen so far and it is possible that all of them will be used in Sunday’s race. Their performance has been consistent and we have no worries about durability.”